More than 100 killed in Sri Lanka landslide
- 9 years ago
More than 24 hours after a landslide swallowed the village of Haldumulla in south-central Sri Lanka, rescuers are still searching for survivors, although hopes of finding anyone alive are diminishing.
More than a hundred people are confirmed dead, buried by an avalanche of mud and rubble..
Among the survivors were children who were away at school when the rain-soaked hillside gave way.
But for many others there was no chance of escape.
(
SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) VAMADEVA, SURVIVOR, SAYING:
"My wife came from the factory and we went to search for our children. My son-in-law, my daughter got caught in the landslide. The living rooms above the temple and two others were totally buried by the landslide."
The landslide buried about 150 houses, forcing the villagers to take shelter in a nearby school building--and begin the agonizing wait for news about their missing loved ones.
More than a hundred people are confirmed dead, buried by an avalanche of mud and rubble..
Among the survivors were children who were away at school when the rain-soaked hillside gave way.
But for many others there was no chance of escape.
(
SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) VAMADEVA, SURVIVOR, SAYING:
"My wife came from the factory and we went to search for our children. My son-in-law, my daughter got caught in the landslide. The living rooms above the temple and two others were totally buried by the landslide."
The landslide buried about 150 houses, forcing the villagers to take shelter in a nearby school building--and begin the agonizing wait for news about their missing loved ones.